Outboard motor trolling plate



May 16, 1961 c. M. CANNING 2,984,203

OUTBOARD MOTOR TROLLING PLATE Filed on. 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Charles M. Canning 1N VEN TOR.

May 16, 1961 c. M. CANNING OUTBOARD MOTOR TROLLING PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1958 Char/es M. Canning 1N VEN TOR.

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United States Patent 2,984,203 onruoam) MOTOR TROLLING PLATE Charles M. Canning, 4524 E. Slauson St., Maywood, Calif.

Filed Oct. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 764,947

6 Claims. (Cl. 115-17) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in boating equipment, and more specifically to a trolling plate attachment for outboard motors.

At the present time in most instances large outboard motors are being used. The purpose of this is so that the desired speed may be obtained with the boat. On the other hand, because of the size of the outboard motor, evenwhen the outboard motor is in its low speed position, the speed of the boat is too high for trolling. It is therefore the primary object of this invention to pro vide an improved attachment for outboard motors which attachment reduces the effectiveness of the outboard motor whereby the speed of a boat may be greatly reduced when desired for the purpose of trolling.

Another object of this invention is to provide an attachment for outboard motors to facilitate trolling therewith, the attachment being in the form of a plate which may be mounted directly behind the propeller of the out-,

board motor so as to reduce the effectiveness thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a trolling attachment for outboard motors, the trolling attachment including a support bracket assembly which may be secured to the housing of the outboard motor and a plate, the plate being supported by the support bracket assembly and being positionable directly rearwardly of an outboard motor propeller so as to reduce the effectiveness thereof so that the desired trolling speed may be obtained.

A further object of this invention is to provide a trolling attachment for outboard motors, the trolling attachment including a support bracket assembly which may be permanently secured to the housing of an outboard motor, the support bracket assembly including vertically alined guides for receiving a plate in a vertical position directly rearwardly of the outboard motor propeller to reduce the effectiveness thereof, the plate being removable from the guides and readily stored so as to not in any way affect the speed of the boat when it is not desired to troll.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear view of a boat having mounted on the outboard motor thereof a trolling plate attachment which is the subject of this invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rear part of the boat of Figure 1 and shows further the details of the trolling plate attachment;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 2 and shows the manner in which the support bracket assembly of the trolling plate attachment is secured to the housing of the outboard motor;

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the support bracket assembly and shows the specific details thereof;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified form of the boat bracket assembly; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of still another form of support bracket assembly.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a conventional type of outboard motor boat 10 which has mounted on the transom 12 thereof an outboard motor 14. The outboard motor 14 is also of a conventional type and among other components includes a lower housing 16 and a propeller 18.

In order to reduce the effectiveness of the outboard motor 14 to slow the boat 10 down to a trolling speed. there is provided the trolling plate attachment which is the subject of this invention, the trolling plate attachment being referred to in general by the reference numeral 20.

The trolling plate attachment 20 inclhdes a support bracket assembly 22 and a trolling plate 24.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the. support bracket assembly 22 is formed of a pair of identical support brackets 26 and 28 which are dis posed in inverted relation with respect to each other. Each of the support brackets 26 and 28 is formed of a pair of straps 30 and 32 which are of a similar configuration but are left and rights. Each of the straps 30 includes an elongated straight portion 34 to which there is in tegrally connected a vertically sloping intermediate portion 36 which in turn terminates in an integral transverse portion 38. Each of the straps 32 also includes an elongated straight portion 40 which terminates in an integral vertical sloping portion 42. The vertically sloping portion 42 in turn terminates in a transverse portion 44.

Formed in the straight portions 34 and 40 adjacent the locked ends thereof, as viewed in Figure 4, is a plurality of apertures 46. The apertures 46 are longitudinally spaced and have passed therethrough clamping bolt assemblies 48. The straight portions 34 and 40 are also provided with a plurality of apertures 50 adjacent the inner sections with the vertically sloping portion 36 and 42, respectively, and have passed therethrough a second bolt assembly 52.

The purpose of the plurality of apertures 46 and 50 is to permit the support bracket assembly 22 to be conveniently mounted on different models of outboard motors. As is best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the bolt assemblies 48 and 50 are spaced apart just sufficiently to clear the lower housing 16 and serve to clamp the straps 30 and 32 against opposite sides thereof to position the support bracket assembly 22.

Referring once again to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the transverse portions 38 and 44 are in transverse alignment and have secured thereto in spaced relation a transverse strap 54. The transverse strap 54 is secured to the transverse portions 38 and 44 in spaced relation relative thereto by a bolt assembly 56 at opposite ends thereof. The bolt assemblies pass through suitable openings 58 in the transverse portions 38 and 44 and in the transverse strap 54. The transverse portions 38 and 44 and the transverse strap 54 combine to form vertically aligned guides which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 60. The vertically aligned guides 60 are vertically spaced to provide adequate supports for the trolling plate 24.

As is best illustrated in Figures 1 and. 2, the trolling plate 24 includes a vertical plate portion 62 of a relatively great extent with the plate portion 62 terminating l tate the positioning thereof as well as removal. The

plurality of openings 58 are provided so that trolling plates 24 of various widths may be accommodated and at the same time centrally positioned.

With the trolling plate 24 disposed immediately astern of the propeller 18, the effectiveness of the propeller 18 is greatly reduced. Furthermore, the trolling plate 24 produces a drag which in turn reduces the effectiveness of the outboard motor 14. For that reason, the speed of a boat propelled by the outboard motor 14 may be greatly reduced as is desired to produce the desired trolling speed.

Referring now to Figure in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of support bracket assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 66. The support bracket assembly 66 in cludes a pair of identical, but reversely positioned, support brackets 68 and 70. The support brackets 68 and 70 correspond to the support brackets 26 and 28 and differ therefrom only in that each is formed from a single strap 72 which is bent to have a horizontal portion'74, an intermediate sloping portion 76, a first transverse portion 78 which is connected by a reverse bend 80 to a second elongated transverse portion 82. The second elongated transverse portion 82 is connected by means of reverse bend 84 to a third transverse portion 86 which is aligned with the transverse portion 78. Integrally connected to the transverse portion 86 is a vertically sloping portion 88 which is in turn integrally connected to the straight portion 90. The straight portions 74 and 90 are dis posed in spaced parallel relation and connected together by a pair of longitudinally spaced clamp bolt assemblies 92.

The transverse portions 78, 82 and 86 combine to provide vertical guides 94. These guides correspond to the guides 60. In fact, it will be seen that the only difference between the support brackets 68 and 70 of the support brackets 26 and 28 is that the straps 54 have been formed integral with the transverse portions 38 and 40 and bolt assemblies 56 have been eliminated in the formation of the support brackets 68 and 70.

Referring now to Figure 6 in particular, it will seen that there is illustrated a modified form of support bracket assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 96. The support bracket assembly 96 is formed of a pair of support brackets 98 and 100 which are identical, but disposed in inverted relation. Each of the support brackets 98 and 100 is formed by a pair of strap units 102 and 104 which are similar, but are formed in right and left relation.

Each of the strap units 102 includes an elongated straight portion 106 which terminates at its rear end in a vertically sloping portion 108 which in turn terminates in a transversely extending portion 110. The transversely extending portion terminates in a reversely bent portion 112 and a short transvesre portion 114 which is disposed in parallel relation to the transverse portion 110. The transverse portions 110 and 114 cooperate to form portions of guideways 116.

The strap units 104 include elongated straight portions 118 which terminate in vertically sloping portions 120 which in turn terminate in transverse portions 122. The transverse portions 122 are provided at their extreme ends with reversely bent portions 124 which in turn terminate in transverse portion 126 disposed in spaced parallel relation to the transverse portions 122. The transverse portions 122 and 126 combine to form a guideway portion 128. The guideway portions 116 and 128 are in transverse alignment for receiving a trolling plate, such as the trolling plate 24.

In order that the support brackets 98 and 100 may be clamped onto an outboard motor housing, the straight portions 106 and 118 are connected together by clamp bolt assemblies 130.

The clamp bolt assemblies 130 are passed through suitable openings 132 formed in the straight portions 106 and 118.

It is to be understood that the function of the support brackets 66 and 96 will be identical to those of the support bracket assembly 22. Each of the support bracket assemblies is intended to be clamped on the lower housing, such as the lower housing 16, of an outboard motor and support a trolling plate, such as a trolling plate 24 rearwardly of the outboard motor propeller to reduce the effectiveness of the outboard motor so as to reduce the speed of the boat on which it is mounted to the desired trolling speed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

. What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors comprising a pair of support brackets, each of said support brackets including a clamp portion adapted for securement to an outboard motor housing and a vertical guide portion positioned rearwardly thereof, said guide portions being vertically spaced and aligned, a plate, said plate being slidably received vertically and seated in said guide portions in a vertical position for positioning rearwardly of an outboard motor propeller, said guide portions be ing connected to said clamp means by vertically sloping intermediate portions whereby said clamp means are centrally located.

2. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors comprising a pair of support brackets, each of said support brackets including a clamp portion adapted for securement to an outboard motor housing and a vertical guide portion positioned rearwardly thereof, said guide portions being vertically spaced and aligned, a plate, said plate being slidably received vertically and seated in said guide portions in a vertical position for positioning rearwardly of an outboard motor propeller, said guide portions being connected to said clamp means by vertically sloping intermediate portions whereby said clamp means are centrally located, said support brackets being identical.

3. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors comprising a pair of support brackets, each of said support brackets including a clamp portion and a vertical guide portion, said guide portions being vertically aligned, and a plate seated in said guide portions in a vertical position for positioning rearwardly of an outboard motor propel ler, said guide portions being connected to said clamp portions by vertically sloping intermediate portions whereby said clamp portions are centrally located, said clamp portions and said intermediate portions being defined by a pair of identical straps disposed in generally spaced parallel relation and angular in elevation, and fasteners extending between said straps and securing said straps together.

4. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors comprising a support bracket assembly and a plate, said bracket assembly including a pair of elongated clamp members having corresponding end portions adapted for attachment to an outboard motor housing in vertical spaced relation on said housing with the other end portions projecting rearwardly of said housing, guide means carried by the other end portion of each of said clamp members, said guide means being vertically aligned, said plate being slidably received vertically and seated in said guide means, said plate including an upper generally horizontal flange, said flange normally engaging an uppermost one of said guide means and limiting downward movement of said plate to alignment with an outboard motor propeller.

5. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors comprising a support bracket assembly and a plate, said bracket assembly including a pair of elongated clamp members having corresponding end portions adapted for attachment to an outboard motor housing in vertical spaced relation on said housing with the other end portions projecting rearwardly of said housing, guide means carried by the other end portion of each of said clamp members, said guide means being vertically aligned, said plate being slidably received vertically and seated in said guide means, the intermediate portions of said clamp members being outwardly convergent toward said guide means whereby the vertical spacing of said corresponding end portions will be less than the vertical spacing of said guide means on said other end portions.

6. A trolling plate assembly for outboard motors com- 15 prising a support bracket assembly and a plate, said bracket assembly including a pair of elongated clamp members having corresponding end portions adapted for attachment to an outboard motor housing in vertical spaced relation on said housing with the other end portions projecting rearwardly of said housing, guide means carried by the other end portion of each of said clamp members, said guide means being vertically aligned, said plate being slidably received vertically and seated in said guide means, said guide means each including a pair of spaced opposing surfaces extending transversely of the corresponding clamp members defining vertical openings 10 for slidably receiving said plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,058,882 McGauley Apr. 15, 1913 1,576,237 Dawson Mar. 9, 1926 2,059,345 Hawney Nov. 3, 1936 2,914,019 Gawin Nov. 24, 1959 

